I’m on 200mcg of Levothyoxine. I live in Turkey, can buy Tiromel ( T3) over the counter. If I add T3 and reduce T4. what dose do I take ?

[Mousemole]

T3 dose when on 200mcg Thyroxine ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need to get tested first, and important to test vitamins too

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

Ask Doctor to test thyroid and vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Add results and ranges if you have any

Or come back with new post once you get results

[fuchsia-pink]

Step 1 is to see if you actually need T3 meds. Not everyone does - it's really only sensible if your blood results show you are a "poor converter" - hence SlowDragon 's suggestion that you need to test your free T3 and free T4 levels first. And it works best when your key nutrients are optimal, which is why she recommends testing these too.

And then if you do need T3, it's important to take it very slowly, as it is very strong. Remember it's not the solution to everything: you will see posts here from people who can't get on with it. or find it doesn't help (possibly because it was never going to) ... and it's def not a quick fix - it could take many, many months to find the right dose for you.

[knitwitty]

Hi you are very fortunate that you can buy your T3 over the counter, I too use Tiromel.

Please do what SlowDragon suggests and test all your thyroid hormones and vitamin levels before you start taking T3, it's absolutely essential to know whether you need T3 before you start taking it and if you do to measure your response to it.

As Fuchsia Pink says it is very potent, when I started taking it I quartered the 25mcg tablets and took only one quarter to begin with alongside my levothyroxine. I didn't reduce my levo as I was only taking 75mcg.

greygoose may be able to advise you regarding how much to lower your levo but please get a thorough test as suggested before you start taking the T3.

[greygoose in reply to knitwitty]

Absolutely. One has to know the FT4 and FT3 levels first - for several reasons: a) to see if you really do need to take T3 because you don't convert well, or b) to see if you're just undermedicated and would probably be fine with just an increase in dose, or c) if you do need T3, if it's actually necessary to reduce your levo. But how much is straight forward to begin with, 25 mcg, if the FT4 is right up the top of the range. If it's not that high, you don't need to reduce it to begin with, you can sort out FT4 levels to suit you after you've sorted out the FT3. But, it all depends on the lab results.